Review of Marco Polo

MS Marco Polo is owned by Global Maritime, currently under charter to Cruise & Maritime Voyages. The ship was previously operated by Transocean Tours, Germany. MS Marco Polo was built in 1965 by Mathias-Thesen Werft, East Germany as “Aleksandr Pushkin” for Baltic Shipping Company, Soviet Union.

History - construction & ownership

The 22,080-ton, 820-passenger cruise ship ms Marco Polo is among the top choices for small ship cruising out of the United Kingdom. Fellow passengers are affluent, middle-aged, well-traveled and mostly repeat guests. MS Marco Polo has a classic profile, traditional dark hull and teak decks. Ship's deep draught and stabilisers give comfortable ride. Marco Polo refits have kept accommodation, public rooms, guests’ facilities and navigational technology up to date. The compact size of the vessel helps access smaller ports, in which bigger vessels do not venture.

Marco Polo was refurbished in November 2014 at Vlissingen shipyard, Holland. The work was done by Damen company shiprepair & marine vessel conversion company. Ship's dry dock featured an extensive survey, followed by regular maintenance work – hull washing-painting, lifeboats maintenance-recertification, valves overhaul, gangway platforms repair.

In November 2015 Cruise and Maritime Voyages' msMarco Polo celebrated its half century witha couple of 50th anniversary voyages. When CMV Marco Polo debuted in 1965 it was named the Alexandr Pushkin, after the famed Russian poet, and was one of the five poet-class vessels built at Mathias-Thesen Werft docks at Wismar, former East Germany.

Marco Polo was extensively refurbished in 1975. In 1984 the ship joined CTC Cruises Australia with 18-30 Holidays' sailings. In 1991 "The Alex" (as Aussies called her), was purchased by Gerry Herrod, British cruise entrepreneur, who took the ship to Greece to be re-built over a 3-year period.

Emerging as Orient Lines' ms Marco Polo, the cruise ship specialised in expedition voyages to the Far East. A helicopter was available on the purpose-built heli-deck to observe whales and wildlife. The line was bought In 1998 by Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL). Eventually, in 2008 Marco Polo was sold to Greece's Global Cruise Lines, its present owners, to be operated by Cruise & Maritime Voyages.

In the end of 2015, Damen Shiprepair Vlissingen (DSV), part of Damen Shiprepair & Conversion (DSC), said farewell to ms Marco Polo, which was in for her 10th special survey and general maintenance and refurbishment. The project took around five weeks to complete. Marco Polo had a full schedule of works during her time at DSV. These included an exterior repainting, interior repairs and maintenance to bring her back up to her usual high standards. Other actions included work on the propellers and propeller shafts, reconditioning the bearings on the main engines and servicing the air-conditioning units and gensets. The life-rafts and other safety equipment were also removed and serviced, the cranes and winches overhauled and various minor steel works performed. Marco Polo arrived at Damen Shiprepair Vlissingen on the 3rd of November and departed on the 14th of December, 2015.

Cruise itinerary program

MS Marco Polo itinerary program is based on round-trip cruises departing from UK (London, Tilbury port). The ship visits popular destinations in Europe, such as Baltic Sea (Russia, Scandinavia), Norway (Norwegian Fjords), North Sea (British Isles), Iceland. In winter 2017-2018 Marco Polo will sail to France, Spain and Portugal from Belfast, Bristol and Liverpool. The firsr voyage in 2018 starts on March 31 from Bistol to France.

Cabins

Of all ms Marco Polo 425 cabins, 70% have an ocean view (including 14 Suites, no balcony cabins are available), 281 are Oceanviews, 128 are Insides. Only 2 are the wheelchair accessible cabins, all located on Amundsen Deck 9. There are no connecting rooms. The number of cabin categories is 15.

Dining options - Food & Drinks

Waldorf restaurant's decor is pleasant, however not quite remarkable. It features two sittings, dinners are good and usually exceed expectations for price level, prepared with much more finesse than breakfasts. Afternoon tea and late-nights snacks are also offered on board according to cruising tradition.

Marco’s Bistro is an open-seating informal alternative dining venue on the pool deck and guests can eat outdoors, whenever the weather conditions permits so. No additional charge is applied for eating here.

Captain’s Club and Columbus Lounge are popular venues for pre-dinner cocktails. The Columbus is classy and clubby, with maritime artefacts on display. The Captain’s is elegant and spacious, with contemporary decor.

The modern Scott’s Bar is located on Amundsen Deck. Its dance floor welcomes passengers for late-night entertainment.

At Maxim’s guests can savor Mediterranean flavors, including Italian and French specialties. Maxim’s is open for dinner, no cover charge is applied.

Marco Polo Grill is an upscale dining venue with various experiences. It is open for dinner, no cover charge is applied.

Seven Seas Restaurant is the main dining room which accommodates all passengers in unhurried sitting. The menu offers Continental and American favorites, as well as a la carte items. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Raffles Café is ship’s Lido buffet restaurant, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It offers both indoor and poolside seating. In the evenings guests can enjoy regional specialties.

Entertainment options - Fun & Sport

Marco Polo offers great value-for-money and child-free traditional British experience in cozy surroundings. The public rooms are all smartly furnished and feature high ceilings giving airy and spacious feel, with plenty of space for relaxation. Don't expect expansive leisure options as Marco Polo is not like the modern floating resorts and her passengers are not expecting them. You will find plenty of open deck, with a small swimming pool and three whirlpools. Unfortunately, none of the bars and lounges offers forward view. The list of onboard facilities includes:

The small library (Livingston Lounge) offers a decent books’ selection, magazines, playing cards or other games. Nansen Card Room is the spot for card game lovers. The photo gallery to order pictures from the cruise and the Internet Café are among the other amenities.

The Duty Free Gift Shop is open while the ship is at sea. It stocks on cigarettes, liquor, fragrances, cosmetics, local souvenirs. The liquor and cigarettes that you buy will be delivered on the last day of the sailing.

Each evening Marco Polo offers different entertainment programmes, ranging from performances by ship's show team to jive/boogie, ballroom dancing, craft sessions, guest lectures, quiz programmes, golf sessions, bingo and fitness workouts. Live music is offered in several venues.

MS Marco Polo was originally built in 1965 as Aleksandr Pushkin in East Germany by Mathias-Thesen Werft for the Baltic Shipping Company (Soviet Union). After major alterations, the vessel sailed for Orient Lines as Marco Polo from 1993 to 2008.

MS Marco Polo is currently owned by the Global Maritime company. The cruise ship has been under charter to the UK-based CMV company since 2010 (January 2nd).

Other Cruise and Maritime Voyages cruise ships

Marco Polo Itineraries 2016

The below listed Marco Polo cruise prices on 2016 itineraries are
only indicative and Per Person (in US dollars, based on double occupancy). These are the
cheapest Cruise and Maritime Voyages fares on the ship’s lowest category cabins available for booking. Cruise fares
typically change with departure dates approaching, last minute deals, discounts, promotions, independent travel
agency offers.

Marco Polo Itineraries 2017

The below listed Marco Polo cruise prices on 2017 itineraries are
only indicative and Per Person (in US dollars, based on double occupancy). These are the
cheapest Cruise and Maritime Voyages fares on the ship’s lowest category cabins available for booking. Cruise fares
typically change with departure dates approaching, last minute deals, discounts, promotions, independent travel
agency offers.

Marco Polo Itineraries 2018

The below listed Marco Polo cruise prices on 2018 itineraries are
only indicative and Per Person (in US dollars, based on double occupancy). These are the
cheapest Cruise and Maritime Voyages fares on the ship’s lowest category cabins available for booking. Cruise fares
typically change with departure dates approaching, last minute deals, discounts, promotions, independent travel
agency offers.